Michael Jackson estate agrees record Sony music deal

The estate of Michael Jackson has agreed the biggest recording deal in history, worth more than $200m (£133m), with Sony Music. The deal reportedly involves 10 album projects over seven years - including one of previously unreleased material.

The singer died at his Los Angeles home in June, aged 50. He was due to stage a series of comeback concerts in Britain. Michael Jackson's death was ruled as homicide, mainly caused by the use of the anaesthetic Propofol.

The contract with Sony could be worth up to $250m if certain conditions are met, citing sources close to the deal. It reflects sales of Jackson's music and memorabilia - which have sky-rocketed in the months since his death, making the late star one of the biggest-earning acts of last year.

Media experts believe that, Sony has sold more than 30 million copies of Jackson's albums worldwide since his death on 25 June. His estate may soon be able to pay off some of the huge debts he left behind. According to US media, Jackson also left behind dozens of new songs, which may be released, along with revamped packages of old hits. More details are expected in an official announcement later on Tuesday, but the contract is reported to include the soundtrack to the recent film, This Is It.

The footage showed Jackson rehearsing for his comeback tour just days before his death from an overdose of an anesthetic. His doctor, Conrad Murray, who told police he had prescribed Propofol for insomnia, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter. He has always maintained that he neither prescribed nor administered anything that should have killed the singer.